Home to white washed villages, the passionate flamenco dance and a variety of beautiful landscapes – Andalusia represents España in its most flamboyant form. There are many ways to experience Southern Spain but nothing compares to a motorbike trip. The warm climate means bikers can soak up the sights and scenery from early spring until late autumn, rather than just sticking to the summer months when the crowds tend to peak.
Highs exceed 30°C from June to August – which feels uncomfortably hot for those who aren’t used to it. However, if you go in the shoulder season of April/May or September/October the weather is nice and mild – ranging from the low to mid 20s. This makes for ideal riding conditions as you can wear all of your motorbike gear without sweating up a storm. The gentle Andalusian breeze will guide you from one destination to the next.
The curvy roads in this part of the country take you across a series of diverse terrains. Mountain ranges, rolling hills, deserts, tidal marshes, oak forests and an endless stretch of coastline – the natural beauty of Southern Spain is something to behold. Putting some flamenco guitar music on your Bluetooth speakers or headphones, and admiring each new vista as it slowly unfolds before your eyes, will transport you into a dream-like state.
Cruising into a new town each day where you can marvel at the mixture of Spanish and Moorish architecture, and pop into a sleepy tapas bar to get refueled, adds even more charm to the experience. Two of the world’s main religions (Christianity and Islam) have a rich history in Andalusia. Their competition and combination over the years has led to cultural treasures, none more impressive than the Alhambra palace/fortress in Granada.
Southern Spain Motorbike Trip with Moto Tours Europe
If the above scene appeals to you, we suggest booking the Southern Spain Andalusia Motorcycle Tour with Moto Tours Europe. This company is made up of a team of motorcycle enthusiasts who all have decades of experience riding the greatest European routes. Each of their tours includes high-end bikes and quality accommodation, as well as off the beaten path stops that showcase authentic culture, in order to give travelers a unique perspective.
The 10-day Southern Spain motorbike trip involves eight days of riding which covers a distance of 1,400 kilometers. Riding time per day is roughly six hours and you clock up between 150 – 250 kilometers on a daily basis, so it’s not too strenuous. All roads traversed on this tour are in excellent asphalt condition. Bikers need to have an intermediate to advanced skill level and the group is capped at 10 bikes to keep the experience intimate.
Starting and ending in Malaga some of the top highlights are Granada, Ronda, the Tabernas Desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. This tour ticks all the boxes in terms of scenery, sightseeing and culture. Amazing scenery from green inlands to rugged beaches keeps you in a constant state of awe while riding, the colorful towns and friendly locals give you a dose of culture, and the great wine and tapas bars ensure you stay fed.
Dates for the 2023 calendar year are: 10th of March, 1st of April and 13th of October. For 2024, you could book one of these: 9th of March, 30th of March, 1st of September or 11th of October. These tours are all-inclusive. You don’t need to worry about bike hire, fuel, guides, transfers, accommodation and most of the breakfasts, lunches and dinners throughout. Also, if you bring your own motorbike along, the price gets significantly reduced.
10 Highlights of the Southern Spain Motorbike Trip
Day 1: Arrival to Malaga – The Jewel of Costa del Sol
The meeting point for the Southern Spain motorbike trip with Moto Tours Europe is Malaga and you can arrive a few days early to immerse yourself in its soulful vibe. This city gave the world Pablo Picasso after all. Explore the art galleries, go shopping in the Soho neighborhood, swing past tapas bars for seafood bites, walk the beaches, and snap photos of epic architecture at places like the Teatro Romano and La Plaza de Toros de la Malagueta.
Day 2: Ride from the Sea to the Mountains to Gibraltar
After collecting the bikes and receiving a morning briefing from the guides, it will be time to hit the road en-route to your first stop: Gibraltar. The scenery slowly transforms from the coast to mountains over a lovely 150 kilometer ride through olive groves, haciendas and white washed villages, before returning back to the sea in Gibraltar. When you travel across the mountainous areas, the roads become windy and even more breathtaking.
Day 3: Seville is Next on the Southern Spain Motorbike Trip
The third day kicks off with a bit of sightseeing in Gibraltar, from where you can see Africa in the distance. Then you are back on the road again heading inland to visit white washed villages and Sierra de las Nieves National Park. The riding on this day is just magnificent. Sometime in the late afternoon, the group will arrive in Seville – the largest city in Southern Spain home to flamenco dancing and spectacular examples of architectural design.
Day 4: Cordoba – An Islamic Center in the Middle Ages
Following a relaxed breakfast, the Southern Spain motorbike trip continues to Cordoba. Before reaching the former Islamic capital of Spain, bikers are treated to more white washed villages in the hilly inlands. Once in Cordoba the first must-visit is the La Mezquita mosque/cathedral. It started off as a mosque and was later converted into a cathedral – showcasing the complex relationship between Islamic and Christian faiths in the region.
Day 5: Rest Day on the Southern Spain Motorbike Trip
Day five sees guests take a break from riding to get a little R&R in the enchanting Cordoba. The day is yours to spend however you please. After sleeping in and having a late lunch, the afternoon could be wiled away by walking the streets and taking photos of the stone-paved paths and the pretty potted plants adorning the white walls. One day is never enough in Cordoba but you will still be able to see all of the main attractions.
Day 6: Discover the Beautiful Hidden Gem of Cazorla
Cazorla, a town you have probably never heard of, is next on the itinerary. The ride from Cordoba includes several hidden gems but Cazorla is without doubt the main feature of the day. This Andalusian town is surrounded by fields of olive trees and has the formidable Pena de los Halcones as its backdrop. The old town is filled with traditional houses and notable monuments – the most prominent of which is the Berber-era Yedra Castle.
Day 7: Soak up the Sunshine and Sunset in Almeria
Almeria flies under the radar for most travelers and this is great news because the city is still largely untouched by tourism. No matter the time of year you visit, sunshine is all but guaranteed as it rarely rains here. In fact, it’s one of the driest places in Europe. The best things to do in Almeria include visiting the La Alcazaba fortress for fantastic architecture and sweeping views overlooking the city, and catching a colorful seaside sunset.
Day 8: Tabernas Desert on the Way to Granada
The eighth day is arguably the best of them all on this Southern Spain motorbike trip. It’s action-packed full of adventures. For starters, you get to witness the only desert in Europe (Tabernas Desert) and arrive at the most alluring city of Andalusia, Granada. In between these two experiences are a number of other thrilling activities such as riding mountain passes, visiting the Sierra Nevada mountain range and stopping by cute little villages.
Day 9: Last Riding Day on the Southern Spain Motorbike Trip
Considering the prior day’s adventures where you marveled at dry desert landscapes and took in the presence of Alhambra, you might be pleased to know that day nine revolves around a leisurely ride back to Malaga to finish the Southern Spain motorbike trip. You will be heading southwest where a tapas night awaits in Malaga for your final evening. While sharing tapas and wine, it will be enjoyable to look back on your journey together.
Day 10: Say “Hasta Luego” to Moto Tours Europe
Here you have it, the end of the Southern Spain motorbike trip. Say your goodbyes to the guides and fellow riders, and either head to the airport to fly back home or continue your travels in Spain or in a different European country. As you can tell by the highlights mentioned above, Andalusia is the ultimate destination for a motorcycle journey. These moments of pure “duende” (as the locals call it) will be etched into your memory forever.
